Alabama HC provides notable update on QB Keelon Russell

There are high expectations for Alabama freshman quarterback Keelon Russell. Those expectations will likely not come to fruition in 2025, his true freshman season, but the Crimson Tide has big hopes for the former five-star quarterback recruit.

This season’s starting quarterback in Tuscaloosa is likely to be redshirt junior Ty Simpson. After him on the depth chart would be redshirt sophomore Austin Mack, and then there’s Russell.

In a perfect world, Alabama wouldn’t have to send Russell out onto the field in 2025, and instead, he could watch, learn, develop and take a redshirt season. That doesn’t mean Russell hasn’t already made jumps in his development, though.

He was in Tuscaloosa for spring ball, and much like the other quarterbacks in the system, DeBoer said there has been development from spring to fall camp. As he gets more experience, he gets better, but right now, Alabama is doing things at a basic level offensively.

“Keelon’s reps continue to build up from what it was in the spring, when he was primarily with the 3s and 4s. But here early on, you’re just installing and you’re trying to give each quarterback, along with each other position and player, the reps of the install,” DeBoer explained, according to Hunter De Silver of On Si.

While DeBoer does think that all three of his quarterback options are coming along, it’s worth noting that he did pay specific attention to Russell in his comments. He believes the former five-star may grow the most in confidence and competence this fall, but that’s a natural thing when a freshman comes in and is “drinking from the firehose” of information.

“Keelon is probably the one you’re going to see the biggest jump naturally and I feel like that was good. He’s making quick decisions and not sitting there thinking too much.”

If Russell is already comfortable with running the offense, there’s a chance he’ll see the field for the Crimson Tide sooner rather than later in his career.

Russell was ranked as the No. 2 quarterback in the country, according to the 247Sports Composite, only behind Michigan freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood.